Strathcona Nordics 2009/2010 Registration Questions and Answers

Strathcona Nordics will be using the Zone4 on-line registration system beginning October 2009. Registrations will no longer be accepted in paper format except for an extremely limited number of circumstances. Once a registration has been completed on-line, the registration cannot be altered by the registrant. Please direct any membership and registration questions not answered below to: membership@strathconanordics.com

Membership Designations:
Family Membership
A Family is considered one or two adults of the same household and their dependent children under the age of 19 years as of Dec 31st 2009.

Adult Membership
Anyone who is 19 years or older as of December 31st 2009.

Child Membership
Under 19 years of age as of December 31st 2009.

Senior Membership
65 years of age or older as of December 31st 2009.

Fees
(Please note, on-line processing fees as described below are in addition to club fees listed here.)
Membership fees:
Child or senior: $25.00
Adult: $35.00
Family: $75.00

Q - Why can't I pay by cheque anymore?
A - Strathcona Nordics has become a very large club. We have over 500 members - making us one of the largest clubs in BC! With this size come more administrative burdens, including the processing of hundreds of cheques every year. A significant amount of time is also spent by volunteers who must follow-up with some folks due to errors in fee payment, incorrect registration information, etc. This takes an incredible amount of time. Using a credit-card only on-line system means that we can eliminate this follow-up work and put our volunteers to other more constructive uses of their time and skills.

Q - What's the online processing fee?
A - Our registration system uses the Zone4 system. This is the same company that does all of our race event registrations. Of course, this means there is a processing fee associated with using this system. The processing fee is calculated as follows:
3% of your total purchase is applied and given to the company that does the actual processing of the credit card;
Zone4 charges $2 for the FIRST membership and $1 for every subsequent membership. For example, a family of five members would be charged: $2 + $1 + $1 + $1 + $1= $6. This money goes to Zone4.

Q - Do I need to register for a program in order to be a club member?
A - No, you can sign up for a general club membership only.

Q - I'd like to sign up for a program. Do I need to be a club member?
A - Yes, you must sign up as a club member, then you can register in a program. You will pay both membership and program fees.

Q - My child is 4 years old; is she old enough to register in the Bunny Rabbit Program? Do I need to register as well?
A - Bunny Rabbits are all 4 and 5 year olds, your child must be a minimum of 4 years old by Dec. 31, 2009. Each Bunny Rabbit must have a parent attend each session with them, unless the parent is coaching the session. The attending parent must register as a general club member (the parent does not have to register in the program). If one parent attends part of the time and the other parent attends the other sessions, then both parents must be club members.

Q - My child (or children) is registering in a youth program (Bunny Rabbits, Jack Rabbits, Powder Pack, Devo or Junior Race). Do I need to register as well?
A - Yes, at least one parent needs to register as a general club member whenever there are children registering in programs. This is a new requirement this year, to accompany the requirement that parents of youth program participants make a volunteering commitment to the club. This is a standard requirement for most cross-country ski clubs, and for many other sports clubs as well. For insurance liability purposes, all volunteers must be members.

Q - I would like to volunteer. Where can I find out more? Do I need to be a club member?
A- Thank-you, and yes, if you will be helping with any of the club events/activities you must be a general club member for insurance purposes. Strathcona Nordics are a volunteer-based club, and without our volunteers, none of the programs, events or other activities would happen. A number of volunteering options are listed in the registration form and a more complete listing of volunteering possibilities can be found on our club web-site, www.strathconanordics.com/volunteers. Even if you can only contribute a small amount of time, we greatly appreciate your commitment.

Q - I am registering my child in the Rabbits Skill Development Program, and I see this year there is a final registration deadline of Dec. 20/09 - why is that? Are there registration deadlines for other programs?
A - In past years, many registrations for the Rabbit Program were received through the final two weeks before the start of the program, and even after sessions began. Last-minute registrations were requiring an unacceptable amount of work on the part of program coordinators and registrar as classes had to be juggled, new coaches found, catching up new registrants with all the information missed, extra e-mails and phone calls, etc. Having a deadline of Dec.20 will allow a more stable start-up for the program, and give coordinators and coaches more of an opportunity to focus on the program itself, rather than just trying to place late registrants.
Other programs do not involve the numbers of participants and group levels of the Rabbits Skill Development Program, and we will continue to accept registrations for all other programs until the third session of the program, pending coaches' acceptance of late registrants.

Q - I have registered for a program and am now unable to attend. What is the Refund Policy?
A - Membership fees are not refundable.
Program fees will be refunded 100% if a refund request is submitted prior to one week before the start-up of the program, less any CCBC program fees ($5 /SDP) and a 5% processing fee. 50% of the program fee will be refunded if the refund request is received prior to the third session of the program, less any CCBC program fee and a 5% processing fee. No refunds will be issued after that time. Refund requests should be directed to: membership@strathconanordics.com .

Q - Do program participants need to pay trail fees?
A - Yes, trail fees are the responsibility of the individual skier through Mount Washington Raven Lodge.

Trail Passes:Will be updated when we have the 2009/2010 Fees.

Q - Are equipment rentals available?
A - Yes, rentals are available at Mount Washington Raven Lodge on the lower floor. Please allow a sufficient amount of time to get set-up with your rental equipment prior to the start of your program session.

Rentals:Will be updated when we have the 2009/2010 Fees.

Q - I'd like to sign up for a Masters Recreational Program, but I'm not sure if I should register in Beginner or Intermediate?
A - Both programs typically divide into sub-groups depending on ability and endurance. Please note that both programs devote equal time to classic and skate instruction.
The Beginners Program is generally for those skiers who have just begun cross-country skiing, or have little experience in either skate or classic skiing. A beginner skier may be comfortable on their skis, but more at a "walking" pace and not have much experience with technique instruction.
The Intermediate Program is for those skiers who have reasonable endurance in both skate and classic disciplines, and are looking to improve their technique and skiing efficiency.

Q - I have registered as a member, but would now like to participate in a program. How do I do that?
A - You will need to request a downloadable copy of the registration form from the Club Registrar. Please e-mail membership@strathconanordics.com and a form will be e-mailed to you. You will need to mail the completed form and fee payment (cheque) back to the address provided. (Unfortunately, you cannot go back and alter your on-line registration once it has been completed.) Fees for this "paper registration" will be the same as those listed on-line and a surcharge will be added equivalent to the amount of the on-line processing fee.

Q - I'd like to register for a program, but three sessions have gone by. Can I pay a reduced fee?
Q - I'd like to register for Masters Race, but I cannot make the weekday practices. Can I pay a reduced fee?
Q - I'd like to train with the Junior Race Program, but I don't really want to race. Can I pay a reduced fee?
A - Unfortunately, no. Program fees are as listed only.

Q - Why am I required to have an e-mail address?
A - There are two reasons. First, an e-mail address is required in order to pay fees on-line - a notification of the fee payment is sent to the e-mail address. Second, almost all of our Club communication is via e-mail. There is a weekly newsletter sent out to all members, and program coordinators/ coaches will communicate with their program participants via e-mail.

Q - I don't currently have an e-mail address or a computer at home. Can I request to register via mail-in form?
A - Computer access is available through a number of sources, such as your regional library, and internet cafes. E-mail accounts can be set up through a number of providers free of charge; www.google.ca (click on Gmail), and www.ca.yahoo.com (click on Free Mail: sign up) are two examples.
Mail-in forms will only be sent out in situations where the on-line system cannot accommodate special circumstances.

Other questions concerning registration?
Please e-mail: membership@strathconanordics.com